Wedding Planning Checklist
A Timeline For All Things Wedding Attire
Congratulations! You just got engaged and are excited to start planning your dream wedding. You already know wedding planning can be a lengthy process, but we’re here to help! At Believe Bride, making sure you have a wonderful wedding dress shopping experience (and the perfect dress to go with it) is what we’re all about.
But, saying yes to your dream dress is only one part of the wedding planning process. We’ve created a unique wedding planning checklist focused on all things wedding attire to help make sure you, your groom, and your wedding party are ready well in advance for your big day.
The Dress
Your wedding gown is more than a dress—it’s a reflection of you and your love. We believe that finding the perfect dress should be a fun and relaxed experience, with options for styles, sizes and prices. Follow this timeline to help take the stress out of wedding dress shopping and create your perfect love story:
Step One: Research Wedding Dress Styles
Timeline: Right After Engagement
Maybe you’ve been dreaming of your dress since childhood and already know the exact style you’re looking for. However, if that’s not the case it helps to do some research on wedding dress styles before ever setting foot in a bridal boutique. Familiarize yourself with popular styles, and consider which styles will be most flattering on you and what will suit the overall vibe of your wedding. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our Instagram and Facebook for ideas of what you can find at Believe Bride!
Step Two: Know When To Say Yes
Timeline: 10-12 Months Out From Wedding Day
If you’re wondering how to choose a wedding dress when there are so many options out there, that’s normal! There are several factors to consider: your preferred dress style (which you already know if you did Step One), your price range, and your wedding timeline.
If a bridal boutique doesn’t have the exact dress you want in stock and has to order it for you, it can take 5-8 months for your dress to arrive. When you factor in alterations, it’s best to choose your wedding dress 10-12 months before your wedding. However, you may be working on a shorter engagement timeline, and that’s okay! Believe Bride has an amazing collection of over 600 gowns in stock that can go home with you today.
Step Three: Start Dress Shopping
Timeline: 10-12 Months Out From Wedding Day
Your dress shopping experience should be a delight -- after all, you get to gather your nearest and dearest to help you find the dress of your dreams! At Believe Bride, we offer a VIP Bridal Experience, where we open the store just for you and your crew. You get to take your time trying on dresses, finding the perfect accessories, and making memories, all with the help of a senior bridal stylist. We also have multiple other upgraded appointment options!
Step Four: Wedding Dress Alterations
Timeline: 1-2 Months Out From Wedding Day
You’ve found your dream dress, and now it’s time to tailor it to perfection! Book your alterations appointment when you purchase your dress so you’ll be on the schedule and won’t have to worry about finding a time slot months later.
Check out our list of local seamstresses to see who would be the best fit for you!
Don’t forget to bring your wedding shoes, as well as any shapewear, slips, or other undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day. You should also bring any sashes, cap sleeves, or anything else you would like to add to your dress. This will help your alteration specialist create the perfect fit!
Bonus: Wedding Gown Preservation
Timeline: After Returning From Your Honeymoon
Your wedding is one of the most memorable days of your life, and your gown is one of the few things that stays with you after the big day. Wedding dress preservation kits are the perfect way to keep one of your best memories in pristine condition.
Sending your wedding gown to be preserved means experts will treat, clean, and preserve your dress, as well as make any small repairs that may be needed. They’ll return your gown to you in a beautiful box that will allow you to admire your gown while still preserving it through the years. This wedding gown preservation process is often cheaper than drycleaning and will ensure your gown is available some day for a daughter or granddaughter to walk down the aisle in!
Bridesmaids
Are you ready to celebrate your wedding season with your bridesmaids? You’ve asked your nearest and dearest girls to stand up with you, and part of the fun is choosing what they’ll wear! Stop by our formalwear department to find the perfect dress!
Our In Store Collection!
The first step is to decide the color and style of your bridesmaids’ dresses. There are a lot of bridesmaid dress styles out there, but you’ll typically choose a dress color and type that will tie in with your wedding’s color palette and overall style. You’ll also need to determine if you want all your bridesmaids in the exact same color and style, or if you want to give them basic guidelines and allow them to find their own dresses.
Believe Bride has an amazing collection of in-stock, non-orderable formalwear gowns that are perfect for that bridesmaid look! From simple silks to more dramatic sequins in every color of the rainbow, we can help your girls find the perfect gown
Groom and Groomsmen
Step One: To Rent Or To Buy?
Timeline: 2-8 Months Out From Wedding Day
Determining whether your groom and groomsmen need to buy or rent a tuxedo or suit for the wedding is a big decision. Your wedding is a great opportunity for your groom to invest in a classic custom suit or tuxedo that he can wear for future occasions, but this is usually the more expensive option. A suit or tuxedo rental is more cost effective and may be the better choice if your wedding has a unique style or theme.
When it comes to your groomsmen, renting a tuxedo or suit is often the best option if you want your groomsmen dressed in the same style.
Step Two: Tailoring
Timeline: 1-3 Months Out From Wedding Day
If your groom and groomsmen decided to purchase their suits or tuxedos, make sure they go through the tailoring process several months in advance to ensure they are ready to go on your wedding day.
If they decide to rent a tuxedo or suit, here’s a handy guide to taking their tuxedo measurements so they’ll have them ready.
Conclusion
We hope this wedding planning checklist helps you plan for all things wedding attire. This timeline is a suggestion, so adjust and adapt to fit your wedding! If you’re planning your wedding in the Pacific Northwest and looking for a Spokane bridal shop, the Believe Bride team is here to help you find your perfect dress. Book an appointment to become a Believe Bride today!
We created a printable one-page wedding planning checklist with a timeline to help you plan all things wedding attire!
